SECAD has announced that it has €200,000 in funding available, which artisan food companies and food start-ups can now apply for, through its LEADER Food programme.
The local development company works with a variety of stakeholders in rural areas, through this initiative, which the group explained in a statement, 'is ideally suited to food producers with distinctive local foodstuffs.'
The funding programme, which is supported by Cork County Council has already invested €300,000 so far this year in six West and South Cork food companies.
Some of the beneficiaries to date, include Hassetts Bakery, Frank Hederman Smoke House, Leahy’s IceCream & Chocolate Factory, Kinsale Bay Food, Clonakilty Chocolate and Skibbereen Food Company.
Leader Programme
Through the Leader programme, a jointly managed programme by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, these groups were given grants for production equipment, branding and marketing resulting in potential job creation of up to 26 new roles.
According to Suzanne Kearney of SECAD, the program will also improve marketing, product quality and business skills through training.
“This funding offers food producers a real opportunity to benefit from investment in market development, competitiveness and innovation,” said.
“We are inviting food companies to get in touch with us so that we can support them in the funding application. While the funding is open until the end of 2020, we are advising food producers to contact us as soon as possible to avail of this excellent opportunity.”
All applicants must be registered as a food producer with the FSAI. The minimum grant will not be less than €5,000 and a maximum of €200,000.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
